The Detroit Lions have not completely closed the door on bringing back veteran defensive end Za'Darius Smith.
At the trade deadline last year, general manager Brad Holmes made the decision to swap 2026 draft picks and a 2025 fifth-round pick in order to acquire the talented defensive end.
Holmes indicated the team had their difficulties landing a proven pass rusher at the deadline, as other teams were in the mix for a player at a position coveted by many general managers.
The 32-year-old would have been owed $1.5 million in salary and nearly $9 million in bonuses, had the team elected to keep him on the roster.
At the annual meetings, Holmes indicated the team simply could not afford to bring back Smith at that price, but was still in contact with the agent of the former Browns defender.
Detroit made the decision to offer Marcus Davenport, who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals, a one-year contract worth $2,500,000. His prove-it deal included a $300,000 signing bonus and $1,650,000 in guaranteed money.
Levi Onwuzurike also inked a short-term deal in the offseason worth up to $5.5 million for the upcoming 2025 season.
A reasonable contract, based on Smith's age and experience could land in the $4-5 million dollar range for one season, with $2 million in guarantees and incentives to push the total value a little higher.
It is not expected the team would make a long-term commitment, given his elevated age and the draft featuring many worthy defensive end prospects.
Lions 2025 Schedule: Potential Release Dates Discussed
The Detroit Lions will be facing one of their toughest NFL schedules in recent memory.
As a result of their 15-win season in 2024 and NFC North division championship, the team will play a first-place schedule again in 2025.
NFL Vice President of Broadcast Planning Mike North recently discussed which dates the league is targeting to officially release the entire schedule. Three dates are currently being targeted, as the league has been consistent in the timing of their schedule announcement since 2020.
Typically the league likes to announce, in grand fashion, the release of marquee games, primetime games and notable games on the calendar in the middle of May.
“Somewhere in the May 13, 14 or 15 range is probably still our target,” North said on the latest "It's Always Gameday in Buffalo" podcast, via Dolphins On SI.
The Lions, based on the records of their opponents, have the second-toughest NFL schedule.
According to the team website, Detroit's schedule is "featuring 12 matchups against teams that had at least a .500 record last year, but it's the road schedule that looks most daunting. It includes stops in Kansas City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Washington and Los Angeles (Rams) — four of which were division champions — and a combined record last season of 72-30."
Detroit plays in one of the toughest divisions in football. Again, Dan Campbell's squad will face road games against Chicago and their new head coach Ben Johnson, Minnesota and Green Bay.
It is conceivable all teams in the division will be vying for playoff berths this upcoming season.
